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Scottish independence: Ministers quizzed on White Paper Scottish independence: Ministers quizzed on White Paper
(35 minutes later)
More than 300 Scottish organisations are quizzing the Scottish government on its White Paper. Representatives from a number of Scottish organisations quiz First Minister Alex Salmond and his cabinet about their plans for independence.
Ministers are answering questions about the blueprint for independence from unions, businesses, voluntary organisations and public bodies at the event in Edinburgh. Unions, businesses, voluntary organisations and public bodies were invited to the event in Edinburgh.
The question and answer session is available to watch online. The panel was asked about taxation, the economy, poverty, human rights and a written constitution.
A Better Together spokesman said all questions should already have been answered by the White Paper.A Better Together spokesman said all questions should already have been answered by the White Paper.
The White Paper, titled Scotland's Future - Your Guide to an Independent Scotland, was published on 26 November.The White Paper, titled Scotland's Future - Your Guide to an Independent Scotland, was published on 26 November.
First Minister Alex Salmond told the gathering that people from across Scotland would be given a similar opportunity to ask questions of the cabinet at a series of public meetings in the run up to next September's independence referendum. Mr Salmond told the gathering that people from across Scotland would be given a similar opportunity to ask questions of the cabinet at a series of public meetings in the run up to next September's independence referendum.
So far, ministers have been asked a number of questions about issues such as taxation, voter participation, the economy, poverty, human rights and a written constitution.
Finance Secretary John Swinney told the audience simplification of the tax system would be key in an independent Scotland.Finance Secretary John Swinney told the audience simplification of the tax system would be key in an independent Scotland.
He said: "It's about making a fresh start. We don't have to follow the built up complexities of the UK system."
Asked about what level of debt an independent Scotland would take on following a "Yes" vote, he said Scotland would not "default" but added that assets and liabilities had to be considered together.Asked about what level of debt an independent Scotland would take on following a "Yes" vote, he said Scotland would not "default" but added that assets and liabilities had to be considered together.
Elsewhere, when asked how an independent Scotland would tackle poverty, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "What's happening to our welfare state is one of the biggest arguments for independence."Elsewhere, when asked how an independent Scotland would tackle poverty, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "What's happening to our welfare state is one of the biggest arguments for independence."
She said changes to welfare and childcare policies could only happen if voters in Scotland opted for independence in the referendum.She said changes to welfare and childcare policies could only happen if voters in Scotland opted for independence in the referendum.
Voters will go to the polls on 18 September 2014, and will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"Voters will go to the polls on 18 September 2014, and will be asked the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
Mr Salmond said the dates of further question and answer events would be announced in due course.Mr Salmond said the dates of further question and answer events would be announced in due course.
He added: "We want people to continue to talk about Scotland's future, and we want to take this conversation out to communities across Scotland. We want people to know the ways in which the powers of independence can be used to build a wealthier and fairer Scotland and ensure that everyone benefits from our natural wealth and talent."He added: "We want people to continue to talk about Scotland's future, and we want to take this conversation out to communities across Scotland. We want people to know the ways in which the powers of independence can be used to build a wealthier and fairer Scotland and ensure that everyone benefits from our natural wealth and talent."
He said the White Paper had received a "fantastic reception from the public", adding that he expected voter turnout in the referendum to be high. He said the White Paper had received 900,000 hits and been downloaded almost 50,000 times since its publication.
'Not convinced'
However a spokesman for the Better Together campaign, which opposes independence, said the White Paper was a "work of fiction".However a spokesman for the Better Together campaign, which opposes independence, said the White Paper was a "work of fiction".
He added: "We were told in advance that the White Paper would answer all of our questions about the consequences of independence, but it did nothing of the sort.He added: "We were told in advance that the White Paper would answer all of our questions about the consequences of independence, but it did nothing of the sort.
"Instead of facing up to the reality on currency, pensions, EU membership and more, what we got was more assertion from the SNP."Instead of facing up to the reality on currency, pensions, EU membership and more, what we got was more assertion from the SNP.
"It's little wonder that all the polling evidence since its publication shows that people aren't convinced by the White Paper.""It's little wonder that all the polling evidence since its publication shows that people aren't convinced by the White Paper."
Scottish Labour's finance spokesman Iain Gray added: "I don't think it's unreasonable for Scots to hold the SNP's woefully lacking financial plans to account and if John Swinney thinks he's provided enough detail to help people make a decision on which way to vote then I think he will be disappointed when it comes to polling day."